Exercising in the Heat? Stay Healthy with These Tips
Summertime is a popular time to take your exercise routine outside. With pleasant weather and warm temperatures, running outside or doing other outdoor exercises can infuse an added vigor and excitement to your workout time that can be difficult to sustain inside. That being said, the elevated temperatures and humidity can also bring additional hazards. Follow the below suggestions to stay healthy and safe.
Stay Safe This Summer
1. Don’t Forget to Stretch
You’ve probably noticed an increase in your overall activity level this summer. Be sure not to skimp the place of you stretching before you hit the pavement. Follow a targeted stretching routine that focuses on muscle groups that will be most affected by your daily run and decrease their chances for injury.
2. Dress for the Occasion
In the summertime, it’s extremely important to wear loose fitting clothing that is light in color. You want to be able to move your limbs in an unrestricted manner to help prevent injury. Wearing colors that are lighter means that the sun’s rays won’t heat up your body as quickly. Consider investing in some of the new performance fabrics that are designed for the active lifestyle in order to stay cool!
3. Choose Your Running Times Carefully
Safely enjoy a run outdoors if you are tired of treadmills. With both the temperatures and the humidity levels climbing, choosing your running times can make a huge difference in your health. Generally speaking, running first thing in the morning — before the heat and humidity of the day get too high — is going to be your best bet. As the summer months drag on, you likely won’t see significant enough dips in the temperatures until well after darkness which often rules out the possibility of an after-dinner jog.
4. Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate
You already know that hydration is a vital part of every jogging session. It’s of extreme importance during the excessive heat and humidity that comes with the summer. Start off each session with lots of water during your warm up and stretching sessions, then carry your beverage along with you for your run. Make it a point to take a drink every so often, even if you aren’t feeling thirsty yet — setting an alarm on your phone can help remind you. Even if you aren’t thirsty you can be at risk for dehydration. In fact, at the very onset of thirst, you may already be mildly dehydrated. It’s important to be proactive about it!
Visit an Urgent Care Center Near You
By keeping the above suggestions in mind, you’ll be able to stay in top form even as the temperatures rise. The important thing to remember is to always listen to your body. If you’re feeling lightheaded, dizzy or otherwise not well, slow down your pace until you can determine that you’re feeling better. CareSpot is available if you’re having signs of heat stroke or are otherwise not feeling well. Find a location near you by visiting our Locations page.